ENJOYING THE SIMPLICITIES OF LIFE

Gospel Reading Today: Luke 12:13-21
"Watch out and guard yourselves from every kind of greed; because a person's true life is not made up of the things he owns, no matter how rich he may be." Luke 12:15

What a contradiction to the world we live in today. Aren't we all guilty of wanting more? How many of us say that maybe next year we will be able to afford that or maybe with the next job we will be more financially stable....and so forth. But we are told point blank by Jesus himself that storing up riches here on earth is NOT the answer. So why do we continue to be consumed with it? We live in a society that teaches us that worldly goods will make us happy. It is that instant high that we get when we buy something new and we enjoy it for awhile and then the newness wears off and we want more. And the vicious cycle continues.

This morning as I meditated on the gospel I looked around at my little home and my pumpkins on the front porch and my hot coffee in my cup and the sound of a quiet home of healthy sleeping babies and thought, "I have more than I could have ever dreamed of". I am the first to admit I am so guilty of getting caught up in the lies of the world of wanting more. But when you really think about it, we have way more than we need. I think it is so important to show our children joy and happiness in the simple things in life. To not give them everything or to not be consumed with the expectations you had for your life and family and be grateful for what God has given you at the present moment. Be happy with what you have NOW. Be happy with your life NOW. This life is passing away fast and we will someday yearn to hear our children's little voices when they are older, we will yearn for the days with our husbands of having nothing but each other, we will yearn for the simple life of little toddlers when they are teenagers.

So today, my focus is going to try to live in the here and now. Pray for God's Will to be done TODAY. Be thankful for all of the blessings God has bestowed on my family. My husband and I started a business over 6 years ago and it has been such a long road. As we talked this morning about our future with the business, I see that it is going to continue to be a long road for awhile. But more importantly we are sacrificing so much to build a legacy for our family. A legacy of sacrifices, hard work and perseverance. In a world were we want instant gratification, sometimes having patience and enjoying the moment teaches us more about our faith journey.

Try to enjoy the simplicities of life today. Your children's giggles, your little baby's smile, a hot cup of homemade soup, a fresh budded rose, pumpkins on your front porch, the smell of your husband as he kisses you goodbye or as you welcome him home. These are the things to live for each day, forget about the materialistic things that will NEVER make you truly happy. Let's try storing up heavenly riches that matter most in this life.....loving and caring for our children, making our homes a nurturing dwelling place, loving our neighbor as ourselves, using our gifts for God's glory. This will do more for our spirit and our children's spirit than money could ever buy. It is enjoying and living for simplicities of life that will give us true happiness and eternal rewards.

Have a blessed Monday!